Erland Cooper: An Orkney Triptych

Composer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper explores the natural world of his homeland through an evocative mix of music, words and imagery.

Cooper, formerly of The Magnetic North and Erland & The Carnival, is joined by the London Contemporary Orchestra for a journey across a trilogy of albums inspired by his childhood home of Orkney - its air, sea, land, community and dialect. Solan Goose is a record of symphonic pastoral scenes peppered with birdsong, written to escape the stifling reality of city life. We also visit the roaring seascapes of Sule Skerry and hear new pieces from his upcoming album, the last part of the triptych, delving into Orkney’s myth and mythology.

The concert also features spoken word from author Amy Liptrot, whose story echoes Cooper’s own. Leaving Orkney to pursue writing in London, she became overwhelmed by the difficulties and addictions of her urban life. Her memoir The Outrun explores the restorative solace found in returning to her childhood home.

Tagged with: Contemporary music Inside Out

This concert will start promptly at the advertised start time and running times will be confirmed closer to the event.

Produced by the Barbican

This event has been cancelled.

‘ The essence of Orkney's magic is silence, loneliness and the deep marvellous rhythms of sea and land, darkness and light‘

George Mackay Brown

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photo of erland cooper in front of a piano in the barbican foyer

Barbican Sessions: Erland Cooper

Scottish multi-instrumentalist and producer Erland Cooper brings a tape machine, a piano and a cello together for an intimate performance in the Barbican Foyer.